'Stop the 5th district checkpoints,' Cuevas orders
An order is out from the region's top cop, Police Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, calling for the immediate halt of all and any police checkpoints particularly in Northern Iloilo. While at it, the separate order too, for the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) director to conduct an investigation and validate the numerous complaints against one of the province's senior police officials.
The confirmation was made in yesterday's The News Today (TNT) interview with Chief Supt. Cuevas outrightly tagging the conduct of checkpoints "illegal." The orders came amidst heightened complaints pointed to reported "checkpoint-activities" of Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz, head of the 608th Iloilo Provincial Mobile Group (IPMG) based in Northern Iloilo.
While not confirming the Rapiz checkpoints, Cuevas wants the public and the police hierarchy to know that the conduct of such is not in accordance with valid police work. And should checkpoints are to be set-up, Cuevas said these should only be in pursuit of an ongoing police operation with strict limitations.
The reported Rapiz checkpoints in Northern Iloilo has been decried by top provincial officials following supposed frisking and searching of the blocked vehicles.
"That is illegal. We do not allow that. The Supreme Court has already ruled against the illegality of the checkpoints and if ever one is conducted, it should strictly maintain a plainview doctrine only. My orders are clear – if reports are true that Chief Inspector Rapiz is conducting checkpoints, then those are illegal and must be stopped immediately. I already gave out the orders through Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz," Chief Supt. Cuevas said. "Police work must abide with procedures. Chief Insp. Rapiz must go on with his campaign against criminalities and he can go this by keeping visibility patrols and go to his preferred areas but no, not checkpoints. That is a clear violation."
Meantime, a deadline has been set for Senior Supt. Dela Paz to come up with an assessment and validation on the complaints aired against Rapiz.
Chief Supt. Cuevas said he has been apprised of the purported incidents reason why he directed Rapiz' direct superior, Senior Superintendent Dela Paz to act on it.
Pressed for a deadline,Chief Supt. Cuevas quipped, "15 days is good enough."
"The investigation is 15 days but the order to stop the checkpoints, that's effective immediately," he clarified.
Asked whether calls for Rapiz's transfer pending any investigation will be heeded, Cuevas said Dela Paz will have to make the actual call being the direct superior. He however assured of appropriate actions from his end.